Boat motor, submarine, and other structures mailbox design

ABSTRACT

A boat motor mailbox, or one that may be structured as a submarine, airplane, locomotive engine, steamboat, or one in which its address illuminated, incorporating a upper container, an integral shaft or other supporting housing, to provide for operativness or illumination of the numbers upon the formed mailbox. In the instance of a boat motor, it may include a motor operative propeller, which may also provide for similar operation to a submarine, steamboat, an airplane, or other configured shapes that are embodied into the structure of the mailbox design. The operating mechanism may receive its electrical energy from solar power, a battery pack, or even hardwired, and which sustains, in the case of the battery, recharging through the use of the solar collecting panel. In the case of the boat motor, it may have an attached spike, at its bottom, that allows for the mail box to be attached into the ground, whether the spike be impaled within the mud, or be cemented by concrete into the ground, for more permanent usage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non provisional patent application claims priority to theprovisional patent application having Ser. No. 60/937717, having filingdate Jun. 29, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a unique, novel, and ornamentally appearingbut operative mailbox, submarine, airplane, and other structures,including a solar powered lighted mailbox through usage of the conceptof this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, with the advent of bigger homes on larger plots of ground, ithas been a requirement that the mailboxes be placed out at the margin ofthe street, so that the postal service can simply drive up to it, makeits deposit, and go on to the next, normally without even having toleave the postal vehicle. No longer does the postal authority, or thepostman, walk up to the door, to make a mail deposit, as was done many,many years ago.

A variety of designs for mailboxes have been fabricated. For example,the standard box is a simply arched container, on a pole or post,embedded in the ground, with a mailbox being located four feet above,for convenient deposit. A front door normally opens, into the ampleinterior, to allow the bulk mail to be supplied therein.

In some instances, these mailboxes have been shaped like a fish, beerkeg, even an automobile, and have undertaken a variety of designs.

It is the concept of the current invention to provide a furtherenhancement in a mailbox design and operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention contemplates the formation of a mailbox, in the shape ofa boat motor, and more specifically an outboard motor, which may besolar powered, to provide for charging of a battery pack, which in turnfurnishes rotation to the motor's propeller, to give the appearance ofan operating motor, yet functioning as a mailbox, at the front of one'sresidence. It is a unique design, but nevertheless, is operative, atleast to give the facade and appearance of a mailbox that operates likean outboard motor, either when the door of the mailbox is opened, orcontinuously, since the operating motor is solar powered.

The design of this invention may be four to five feet high, have aground spike provided at its lower end, to allow for its impalement, orcementing, into the ground, to keep it erect, during usage. It includesa solar panel upon its upper surface, that is designed to allow for thecollection of sunlight, its conversion into a charge, that allows forthe continuous charging of a battery pack, when the sunshine reflectsupon the solar collecting panel, during the daylight hours.

The invention further contemplates the addition of a 12 volt motor, thatis operated from the battery pack, and which can turn, to some degree ofrotation, a spinning propeller, at the back of the motor design, to givethe appearance of an operating boat motor, during its usage andapplication. Furthermore, there may be a speaker provided within themailbox, and one which has been preprogrammed to speak some phrasing,whether it be something related to fishing, or the sound of a boat motorin operation, or simply to provide some comment when the postage doorsopen, such as providing a thank you to the postman, or to anyone thatopens the mailbox, during authorized usage.

It is just as likely that the concept of this invention, and itsintegrated electronics, could also be used for fabricating a mailbox inthe configuration and shape of a submarine, an airplane, and many otherstructures, or could include a mail box that is solar powered, forenergization of the various props that are operatively associated withthe outboard motor, submarine, and the like, and/or to illuminate thenumerals upon the mailbox, providing the address of the residentialowner.

It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide amailbox, in the shape of a boat motor, and which can be emplaced at thefront of a residence or other building, to add a unique design to themailbox during its installation and usage.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a postal mailboxthat is of a very unique appearance, being that of an outboard motor,and which may provide enthusiasm to the owner, particularly if he is aboating or fishing enthusiast.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an operativemailbox, shaped like an outboard motor, and which will even contain aspinning propeller, simulating that of a standard boat motor.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a boat motorsimulated mailbox which may include a speaker, to express comment, asfor example, when the mailbox door is opened.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an operatingmailbox, simulating a boat motor, and which contains solar collectingpanel for recharging of its contained battery pack, that inducescontinuous or intermittent rotation of its spinning propeller.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a mailbox, with anattaching spike, that can provide for its impalement in the ground, orembedment within a cement, to assure the permanent retention of themotor simulating mailbox in place, once installed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a mailbox that issuch an ornamental design that it will sustain the attention of anyoneviewing the same.

These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in theart upon review of the summary of the invention as provided herein, andupon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment,in view of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In referring to the drawings,

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the Boat Motor Mailbox Design of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a submarine, with operative propeller,fabricated into a mailbox, for installation at the front of a residence,or other building; and

FIG. 3 shows another structured mailbox, an isometric view, including asolar panel that illuminates the lighting system, within the structureof the shown box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In referring to the drawing, and in particular FIG. 1, the Boat MotorMailbox Design 1 of this invention is readily disclosed. The designincludes an upper compartment, simulating the size and dimensions of astandard boat motor, and an enclosed mail compartment 2 which isintegrally attached to its shaft portion 3, which extends downwardlytherefrom, formed having the stabilizer or cavitation plate 4, and thespinning propeller 5 normally having the appearance of a standardoutboard motor. The lower part of the motor, as its lower blade or skegportion 6, extends sufficiently downwardly, and can have an openingtherethrough, or have attached thereto, the upper end of a spike, as at7, and which can either be impaled in the ground, or be cemented inconcrete, during its installation. The upper end of the spike will belocated either within, or withon the surface or front part of the shafthousing 3, and will have an attaching bolt 8 cooperating with a lockingnut 9 for use for securement of these components together, before thedesign is mounted upon the ground.

The containment portion 2 of the mailbox will have a frontal door 10normally in position where a mailbox door normally locates, and whichincludes the usual latch 11 for securement of the door enclosure, aswhen not in usage, or after mail has been deposited therein. Thisprovides for shelter from inclement weather, and keeps the mail frombeing soiled, while stored, temporarily, within the mail container 2. Ascan also be seen, various holders or slots for identification purposesmay be provided, such as a street number 12, which may be illuminated atnight by means of the enclosed battery pack 15, and even arrangedtherewith can be a nameplate, or the like. Below the street number slotis a further location for application of a product name, such as atrademark for one of the outboard motor companies, such as MercuryMarine, as can be seen at 13. This can either be taped in place, orlocated by means of a nameplate into a slot, or fastened to the BoatMotor Mailbox Design 1, as can be understood. And, the mailbox may bepainted to the standard color that is normally employed by one of theboat motor companies, such as, for example, Evinrude Motors are usuallywhite in appearance, the Honda outboard motor is normally silver, whileMercury is noted for its black appearance. These can be coordinateddepending upon which brand name is applied.

Furthermore, as can be seen upon the top of the Design 1, there is asolar collecting panel 14 of the usual sunlight receptive wafers, andwhich normally receive sunlight, and convert it into energy, which willbe interconnected with the battery pack 15 to keep it charged,particularly when exposed to sunlight. The battery, then, once fullycharged, can be electrically connected to a motor 16, normally of a lowvoltage type, such as a 12 volt motor, and the motor shaft 17 willinterconnect forwardly of the motor with a propeller or prop 5 to keepit turning constantly, or perhaps the same can be interconnected withthe door 10, so that when the door is opened, the propeller turns,giving the simulated appearance of an operating outboard motor.

In addition, the mail container 2 may have an electronic package,generally provided within a compartment (not shown) that may be locatedat the bottom of the container, and be interconnected with a speaker, asat 18, to provide sound, whether it be sound simulating the operating ofa outboard motor, or perhaps the sound of splashing fish, or evenfurnish some phraseology that may have been manufactured into a chip, tofurnish words of gratitude, or thanks, as to a mailman, when he opensthe door, deposits the mail, and then reclose the same, during delivery.Obviously, other words can be employed, for other purposes, dependingupon the desires and whim of the residence owner.

In any event, the concept of this invention to provide a novelty type 25design, simulating a boat motor, particularly of the outboard motortype, and which will be attractive, eye-catching, and contain manyoperative features that greatly lead to the enthusiasm of anyone inproximity therewith, that may encounter the mailbox, either duringusage, or when observing the same.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, a further structure mailbox, in thisparticular instance, having the shape of a submarine 20, is disclosed.The frontal end of the mailbox has a volumetric capacity, as at 21, forholding a quantity of delivered mail, and it includes a frontal closure,as at 22, for closing off the box, and which is held by one of thestandard clips, as noted at 23. The entire submarine designed mailboxmay be mounted upon a post, as at 24, and which may be embedded in theground.

The back end of the shaped submarine contains electronic means, orwiring, that can either be solar operated, as by the solar panels 25 orcan be even battery operated, to energizing a small motor (not shown)that rotates the disclosed propeller 26, provided at the back end of theshown structure. This is an example how other structured may be embodiedwithin the concept of this invention, to function as a mailbox.

For example, it is just as likely that the mail box may be shaped as anairplane, with a propeller, and have an opening at its side for depositeof the delivered mail. For example, other structures may be incorporatedinto this development, such as a locomotive, of the steam type, whereits wheels and the power levers or radius arms can be rotated, in thesame manner as previously described herein, to furnish rotation of thewheels, during installation and usage of the device. Or, it is likelythat the invention can be configured as a steamboat, with its paddlewheel, at the rear thereof, being turnable, preferable by solar power orbattery charge. These are examples as to how the invention may beconfigured to different designed shapes, have some operative components,in order to enhance the aesthetics and the attention getting of thedevelopment, during installation and usage.

FIG. 3 shows another variation upon the invention, but utilizing thesame instrumentation as reviewed in the previous developments. Forexample, it shows a brick or simulated block type of mailbox, as shownat 30, having a front gate as at 31, operated and pivotal as standarddesign, and having its fastener closure 32 provided thereon. Inaddition, the top of the box may include one or more solar panels, as at33, which convert sunlight into electrical energy, and through itsprocessing with in a circuit box, as at 34, provide for illumination ofthe residential numerals, as can be seen at 35. The control box 34 mayalso include a battery, as either a direct means for provision ofelectrical energy, or as a backup power, for operation and illuminationof the numerals, during usage of this device. This is just an example asto how the invention can be varied, and embodied in various structures,but yet provide the basic principal and concept of this invention is toprovide for energization, either by solar power, or battery operated, oreven hard wired if available, for either operating some mechanicaldevice, such as a propeller, or illuminating lighting, for showing theaddress of the residence or other establishment.

Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention mayoccur to those skilled in the art upon review of the invention asprovided herein. Such variations, if within the spirit of thisdevelopment, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of theinvention as defined. The description of the particular invention, andits depiction in the drawing, are primarily set forth for illustrativepurposes only.

1. A boat motor mailbox design including a housing simulating anoutboard motor, having a container provided at its upper end, having anattached door, which when opened, allows for the insertion of deliveredmail therein, an integral shaft housing extending downwardly therefrom,incorporating a battery pack, charged from a solar panel operativelyassociated with the container, a motor, energized from the battery pack,which when initiated, allows for the spinning of a propeller simulatingthe operations of an outboard motor during usage.
 2. A structuredmailbox design, that may be structured into the shape and configurationof a boat motor, an airplane, a submarine, a steam boat, or alocomotive, or into other shapes, including a housing simulating one ofthese structures, having a container provided at its approximate upperend, having an attached door at its frontal portion, which when open,allows for the insertion and delivery of mail therein, integral shafthousing extending downwardly therefrom, and which is provided formounting or impalement into the ground, one of the integral shaft or theshaped structural container, incorporating a battery pack, charged froma solar panel operatively associated therewith, and further including amotor, energized from either the battery pack or the solar panel, whichwhen energized, allows for the spinning of a propeller, paddle wheel, orother movable means, simulating the operations of the shaped structuraldesign during usage.
 3. A mailbox design including a housing at itsupper end, a structured support extending downwardly therefrom, saidstructural support capable of being impaled or embedded within theground to support the mailbox in its erected configuration, either saidcontainer or the structural support incorporating electrical means, forillumination of the mailbox lighting system that displays the address ofthe residence, to provide for illumination of the lights to display theaddress during usage.
 4. The mailbox design of claim 3 wherein eithersaid container or structural support incorporates a battery, forillumination of the residential address numerals.
 5. The mailbox designof claim 4 and including a solar panel, provided upwardly upon thecontainer of the mailbox design, said solar panel provided for eitherenergization of the illuminable address numerals, or for recharging thebattery pack provided therein, during usage.